Community News Archives for 2022-01

It's time to enter the Historic Preservation Photo Contest

Get out your cameras and head for your favorite historic destination.

The annual Historic Preservation Month photo contest, sponsored by the DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA), is underway.

The subject of entry photos must be in Indiana, be at least 50 years old, and be something that was designed/built by people. It can be a building that’s been restored to perfection or one that needs some love. The idea is to show the value of historic preservation. Photos of exclusively natural elements are not eligible.

The complete rules and guidelines and the required entry form are at: on.IN.gov/preservation-month .

 

The photos should be JPEG files (less than 10MB). Each photo and the required entry form should be emailed to aborland@dnr.IN.gov as attachments.

Photographers can submit up to three photos, but can submit only one photo and entry form per respective email.

Follow the DNR Instagram account (@Indianadnr) May 1-7, when the DHPA will be doing a takeover for a week and featuring selected photos and contest winners.

The contest deadline is Friday, April 1.

Shelbyville Street Dept sets Tuesday for another try at tree removal

A City of Shelbyville planned tree removal for last Friday was postponed due to the snow. The job has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 1. (Weather permitting)

 

The Street Department will be removing trees at the corner of S. Miller St & W. Broadway. South Miller Street will have a lane restriction at the northwest corner of the intersection from 8:30 am-3:30 pm with a flagger in place.

Lower Big Blue River Watershed project announces cost share funding

The Lower Big Blue River Watershed Project, in partnership with the Shelby, Johnson, Rush, Henry & Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, announces the availability of funding from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Section 319 program and our local partners to directly enhance Lower Big Blue River and its tributaries.

 

The grant will provide funding for agricultural producers within the target drainages of the creek which are shown in yellow on the map to improve water quality on their property. 

 

To see the interactive map of the watershed, visit bit.ly/LowerBigBlueMap.

 

The Lower Big Blue River Watershed Project will use over $180,000, by providing up to 75% of the costs for qualified agricultural projects.  To receive funding, projects must meet three criteria: 1) Be located within the target area (mapped in yellow on the enclosed figure); 2) Be a project type listed on the fundable projects list; and 3) Be approved by the project’s technical committees and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. 

 

The applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

 

To learn more about the project, view the map, details of the qualifications, and/or to apply for cost-share funding, visit www.lowerbigblue.com/costshare or contact your local soil and water conservation district or Sara Peel at speel@arionconsultants.com or (765) 337-9100.

 

Shelby  SWCD/NRCS - (765) 544-2051 ext 3

Johnson SWCD/NRCS - (317) 736-9540 ext 3

Rush SWCD/NRCS - (765) 544-2051 ext 3

Henry SWCD/NRCS - (765) 529-2303 ext 3

Hancock SWCD/NRCS - (317) 462-2283 ext 3

 

Additional information about the project’s progress can be found at www.lowerbigblue.com.  

More warnings of coronavirus scams

The US Food and Drug Administration is warning people of fraudulent coronavirus tests, vaccines, and treatments as the pandemic continues. According to Centers for Disease Control, since the arrival of the Omicron variant, the increase of testing for COVID-19 has become a concern. Scarcity often leads to potential scams for a product that doesn't exist, the compromise of personal identifiable information, or the increase of deceptive advertising.

 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a warning earlier this year about potential fraud related to the antibody tests. Scammers are selling unapproved COVID-19 antibody tests, which can give inaccurate results. In doing so, they are also collecting personal information, such as Social Security numbers and dates of birth. They may also be stealing heath insurance or Medicare information that can be used in future schemes. 

 

How the Scam Works 

Robocalls are sent out to consumers directing them to a website that looks like a clinic or medical supply company offering COVID-19 tests. These tests allegedly identify if a person has been infected with coronavirus – even if they’ve? recovered. Some even promise results in 10 minutes. However, to receive a test, a credit card or a form needs to be completed with personal information. 

 

In some cases, the test involves an easy at-home testing kit. Other times, the tests are allegedly offered through a clinic. But in all versions, the person or website selling the test is short on details. They aren’t willing or able to provide any information about how the test works, where it is sourced, and what laboratory processes it. 

 

Don’t fall for it! These tests are not US Food and Drug Administration approved and will not give accurate results. In fact, requestors may never even receive an actual test kit. Either way, scammers will have made off with the money and personal information. 

 

How to Avoid Fake Coronavirus Tests 

  • Want a test? Talk to your doctor. Reach out to your healthcare provider. They can help figure out if the test will be covered by insurance and where to find a legitimate clinic.  If you don't have a primary care physician, check out the official website of your local health department for more information on testing availability. 

  • Research before buying. Scammers put pressure on people to buy or commit without giving them time to do further research. Before agreeing to anything, investigate first. Research any claims the company makes. Start with searching BBB.org to see they are BBB Accredited, have good reviews, and if there are complaints or scam reports associated with their business name. In addition, review the warnings on FBIFederal Trade CommissionAttorney General's office, and BBB ScamTracker. 

  • Understand all options: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a detailed guide to testing for COVID-19. Understand the different tests available. 

  • Never share your personal information with strangers.?Only make purchases and share your personal information with people and companies you know and trust. 

  • Check claims of FDA approval. Per the FBI, "Not all COVID-19 antibody tests have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and their efficacy has not been determined." Check the FDA website for a list of approved tests and testing companies. 

BBB recommends if you have been to a pop up Covid testing site and are feeling unsettled about providing personal or financial information, consider the following options:

  • Place a credit freeze on your accounts by contacting the three major credit bureaus. 
  • If possible, file your taxes early to avoid a tax refund theft and alert the IRS.
  • If this does happen alert the insurance company what happened and watch for any unauthorized claims.
  • Monitor all financial accounts for any suspicious charges that do not belong to you and dispute them.
  • Report any suspicious activity to BBB.org/scamtracker.

For More Information 

BBB has additional tips for avoiding scams on BBB.org/spotascam and the BBB news feed

If you’ve been the victim of a scam, please report it on the BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others to stay alert and avoid similar scams. 

Rushville man who served in 3 wars receives Sagamore of the Wabash 

Sgt. Maj. Robert Brown's received the Sagamore of the Wabash on Thursday, Jan. 13.

 

Gov. Eric Holcomb presented Sgt. Maj. Brown with this prestigious award for his patriotism and service to the United States.  State Sen. Jean Leising attended the ceremony.

 

Sgt. Maj. Brown served in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, serving the country for a total of 24 years before retiring from military service.

 

Sgt. Maj. Brown is a native of Rushville.

Ag Alumni Fish Fry postponed until spring due to COVID-19

The annual Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry, originally set for Feb. 4, has been postponed until April 30 due to safety concerns surrounding the current COVID-19 Omicron variant surge in Indiana.

 

Danica Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Purdue Ag Alumni Association, spoke about the difficult decision made by the event planning team.

 

“We became concerned that we could not produce this event safely,” Kirkpatrick said. “We will return to the Indiana State Fairgrounds and will have a wonderful celebration this spring.”

 

Ticket holders who plan to attend the April 30 event will be able to use the tickets they have purchased.

 

Ticket holders who are no longer able to attend the 2022 Fish Fry should email Kirkpatrick at danica@purdue.edu so that a refund can be processed as soon as possible.

 

“We will return to the February dates in 2023,” Kirkpatrick said. “Thank you for understanding, stay safe and healthy, and we’ll see you in April.”

Shelbyville mobile pantry cancelled for this Saturday

The difficult decision has been made to cancel the Shelbyville mobile pantry that was scheduled for this Saturday from 10 am-12 pm at the Shelby County Fairgrounds due to the cold weather forecast and freezing temperatures.

Strike Team in Shelby Co. to aid vaccines, testing; State health dept new guidelines to deal with testing demand, availability

An Indiana Department of Health Strike Team is in Shelby County to aid with vaccinations and testing efforts.

 

The team will be at the Brinson Building at the Shelby County Fairgrounds starting today through Saturday, January 8.  Hours at the site are 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm.  No appointment is necessary.

 

This is in addition to scheduled appointments for testing and vaccination.

 

Testing available will be rapid or swab.  Vaccines available include Pfizer (pediatric and adult) and Moderna.  1st, 2nd, 3rd doses and boosters are available.

 

The strike team comes at a time when the state department of health released new guidelines for testing.

 

The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is making several changes to testing operations due to high demand and a national shortage of rapid test kits.

  • Hours are being extended at the community testing and vaccination clinic outside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays through Jan. 22. The changes are effective today.
  • The clinic, which is being held in the INDYCAR parking lot at 4551 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, across from Gate 2, will accept walk-ins only from noon to 4 p.m.
  • The two-dose Pfizer pediatric and adult vaccines, as well as the two-dose Moderna vaccine, are available.
  • Also effective today, rapid tests at state and local health department testing sites will only be available to individuals aged 18 and younger and symptomatic individuals aged 50 and older. This change is necessary due to the national shortage of rapid antigen tests and is designed to help ensure that students can stay in school and that Hoosiers who are most likely to need a monoclonal antibody are identified within the prescribed window in which they can be administered. Indiana typically uses about 50,000 rapid tests per week but is only guaranteed to receive 11,000 a week at this time.
  • Appointments for rapid tests previously scheduled for today will be honored while testing supplies last, but no appointments for rapid tests will be honored at state or local health department sites going forward except for individuals who fall within the above categories. PCR tests, which are the gold standard, will continue to be offered at all testing sites, with results expected in two to three days.

Click on the testing map at www.coronavirus.in.gov  to find a testing location. Visit ourshot.in.gov to find a vaccination site.

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